I never cry at graduation, but this year I might.
This time of year is always bittersweet for me! I’m always looking forward to the end of the school year, but I’m not always ready to say good-bye to my students.
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”- Matthew 6:8 (NIV)
This year is hitting me particularly hard. I came to my current school last year after a very difficult chapter in my career. God knew I needed a move. He moved me into a 4th grade class with characters of high energy, sass, love, and challenges. Then, COVID. We muddled through the end of the year with lots of tears and unknowns. Then God said, move with them! So, I was blessed with another year with them as I taught 5th grade. We adapted to all the new restrictions, and despite the “give them grace” motto, they worked their tails off for me! We had days of fun, days of struggles, days of laughs, days of frustration.
Now, it’s time to say goodbye. I am ready. But I’m not. I am tired, like I have never been tired before. I have depended on God’s strength just to get me to this, the end of this ‘unprecedented’ year. And, this week, these kids, MY kids will graduate to middle school. They will not only leave elementary school, they will leave ME. After two years. Two strenuous, demanding years. I never cry at graduation, but this year I might.
So, all the feels here. Now, let’s add my youngest is graduating high school this week too.
The question about being “sad” always comes up when each of my girls has been upon graduation. My answer is always an emphatic NO. I love watching my girls hit this milestone. I’ve always been a part of planning their next step, and THAT is exciting to me! When Gillian visited IU, I almost signed up myself at the School of Journalism. And then, I fell in love with Western Kentucky at the same time she did! I watched in awe of the things that Meredith would learn how to do at The Salon Professional Academy (and how she could make me beautiful). Overcoming the apprehension of Hadley attending my alma mater’s archrival, was simple when we visited Purdue’s School of Ag. Although, I could never do the things she will, I am so excited to see her follow her dreams and watch all things in Animal Studies unfold.
“There is a time for everything; and a season for every activity under the heavens.”- Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV)
But…. here we go again. A rough year. I don’t know how many times I said, “It’s not fair!” She said it too, but she rolled with the punches better than I did. She didn’t get to go to a prom. She made the best of it. She didn’t get to cheer in front of a student body, but she made the best of it. Restrictions, cancellations, and all the struggles; she made the best of it. I could not be more proud. She made it. And, she will be great. I am not sad. I never cry at graduation, but this year, I might.
So, this week as the school year wraps up, I am so unbelievably grateful. God has provided so much more than I could have ever asked. How wonderful is it that we serve a God who knows what need even before we ask! How amazing is it that we serve a God who prepares us for every season of life! Faithful, loving, generous, our God!
We don’t know what’s in store next, but there is one thing we can know. God is good. He walks with us every step of the way. On the good days, He shines. On the bad days, He pulls us through. On the days of unknown, He assures us. Every day, He loves us!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for; his love endures forever!” – Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
I am ready for this week. Fellow mamas and teachers, I know you are too! Tired, but proud. Eager and thankful. Excited and stressed. But, just know if you see me this week, and I have tears in my eyes, I never cry at graduation, but this year I might!